Weather based notification systems and methods for home automation

ABSTRACT

Methods and systems are described for generating weather related notices using features of a home automation system. According to at least one embodiment, an apparatus for generating weather related notices with a home automation system includes a processor, a memory in electronic communication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory. The instructions are executable by the processor to receive weather data about current weather conditions, receive status information about at least one barrier of a property monitored by the home automation system, and generate at least one notice based at least in part on the weather data and the status information.

CROSS REFERENCES

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.14/272,194, titled: “WEATHER BASED NOTIFICATION SYSTEMS AND METHODS FORHOME AUTOMATION,” filed on May 7, 2014. The disclosure of which isincluded by reference herein.

BACKGROUND

Advancements in media delivery systems and media-related technologiescontinue to increase at a rapid pace. Increasing demand for media hasinfluenced the advances made to media-related technologies. Computersystems have increasingly become an integral part of the media-relatedtechnologies. Computer systems may be used to carry out severalmedia-related functions. The wide-spread access to media has beenaccelerated by the increased use of computer networks, including theInternet and cloud networking.

Many homes and businesses use one or more computer networks to generate,deliver, and receive data and information between the various computersconnected to computer networks. Users of computer technologies continueto demand increased access to information and an increase in theefficiency of these technologies. Improving the efficiency of computertechnologies is desirable to those who use and rely on computers.

With the wide-spread use of computers and mobile devices has come anincreased presence of home automation and security products.Advancements in mobile devices allow users to monitor and/or control anaspect of a home or business. As home automation and security productsexpand to encompass other systems and functionality in the home,challenges exist in accounting for and responding to environmentalconditions such as weather.

SUMMARY

Methods and systems are described for generating weather related noticesusing features of a home automation system. According to at least oneembodiment, an apparatus for generating weather related notices with ahome automation system includes a processor, a memory in electroniccommunication with the processor, and instructions stored in the memory.The instructions are executable by the processor to receive weather dataabout current weather conditions, receive status information about atleast one barrier of a property monitored by the home automation system,and generate at least one notice based at least in part on the weatherdata and the status information.

In one example, the status information about one or more barriers mayinclude information about an open state of the one or more barriers. Theweather data may include a probability of a weather event occurring.Generating the at least one notice may occur if the probability of theweather event exceeds a threshold probability level. The at least onenotice may include one of a displayed message and an audible messagethat the at least one barrier should be opened or closed. The weatherdata may include at least one of a temperature, a wind speed, and achance of precipitation. The instructions may be executable by theprocessor to automatically open or close the at least one barrier basedon the weather data. The instructions may be executable by the processorto receive status information about at least one appliance of a propertymonitored by the home automation system, and automatically adjustoperation of the at least one appliance based on the weather data.

Another embodiment relates to a computer-program product for generatingweather condition-based notices with a home automation system. Thecomputer-program product includes a non-transitory computer-readablemedium storing instructions executable by a processor to receiveperiodic weather notices, receive status information concerning at leastone barrier or at least one appliance of a building, and generate anotice providing a recommended change in status of the at least onebarrier or at least one appliance based at least in part on the weathernotices.

In one example, the instructions may be executable by the processor toautomatically operate the at least one barrier or the at least oneappliance based at least in part on the weather notices. Theinstructions may be executable by the processor to display the notice ona control panel of the home automation system. The instructions may beexecutable by the processor to transmit the notice to a remote handhelddevice. The notice may include at least one of a graphic, a sound, alight indicator, or a vibration. The periodic weather notices may berouted through a backend server to a control panel of the homeautomation system.

A further embodiment relates to a computer-implemented method forprocessing weather information with a home automation system. The methodincludes receiving weather information at a control panel of the homeautomation system, and generating recommendations for changing at leastone condition of a property monitored by the home automation systembased at least in part on the weather information and at least onepredetermined rule.

In one example, the weather information may be received from a backendserver of the home automation system. The at least one condition may beat least one of an open state of at least one barrier of the property,an operation state of a sprinkler system of the property, and anoperation state of an HVAC system of the property. The at least onepredetermined rule may include one of a threshold temperature and athreshold chance of precipitation. Receiving weather information mayinclude receiving weather information from at least one of a remoteweather database and at least one local weather sensor. The method mayalso include delivering the recommendations to at least one user of theproperty.

The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technicaladvantages of examples according to the disclosure in order that thedetailed description that follows may be better understood. Additionalfeatures and advantages will be described hereinafter. The conceptionand specific examples disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis formodifying or designing other structures for carrying out the samepurposes of the present disclosure. Such equivalent constructions do notdepart from the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Features whichare believed to be characteristic of the concepts disclosed herein, bothas to their organization and method of operation, together withassociated advantages will be better understood from the followingdescription when considered in connection with the accompanying figures.Each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration anddescription only, and not as a definition of the limits of the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A further understanding of the nature and advantages of the embodimentsmay be realized by reference to the following drawings. In the appendedfigures, similar components or features may have the same referencelabel. Further, various components of the same type may be distinguishedby following the reference label by a dash and a second label thatdistinguishes among the similar components. If only the first referencelabel is used in the specification, the description is applicable to anyone of the similar components having the same first reference labelirrespective of the second reference label.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an environment in which the present systemsand methods may be implemented;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of another environment in which the presentsystems and methods may be implemented;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of another environment in which the presentsystems and methods may be implemented;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of another environment in which the presentsystems and methods may be implemented;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of another environment in which the presentsystems and methods may be implemented;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a weather module for use in at least one ofthe environments shown in FIG. 1-5;

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for generating weatherrelated notices with a home automation system;

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for generating weathercondition based notices with a home automation system;

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating a method for processing weatherinformation with a home automation system; and

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a computer system suitable forimplementing the present systems and methods of FIGS. 1-9.

While the embodiments described herein are susceptible to variousmodifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments have beenshown by way of example in the drawings and will be described in detailherein. However, the exemplary embodiments described herein are notintended to be limited to the particular forms disclosed. Rather, theinstant disclosure covers all modifications, equivalents, andalternatives falling within the scope of the appended claims.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The systems and methods described herein relate to home automation andhome security, and related security systems and automation for use incommercial and business settings. More specifically, the systems andmethods described herein relate to weather based notifications using ahome automation system, and/or operating aspects of the home automationsystem based at least in part on weather related information. As usedherein, the phrase “home automation system” may refer to a system thatincludes automation features alone, security features alone, acombination of automation and security features, or a combination ofautomation, security and other features. While the phrase “homeautomation system” is used throughout to describe a system or componentsof a system or environment in which aspects of the present disclosureare described, such an automation system and its related features(whether automation and/or security features) may be generallyapplicable to other properties such as businesses and commercialproperties as well as systems that are used in indoor and outdoorsettings.

One aspect of the present disclosure relates to controlling at leastsome functionality of a home automation system in response toweather-related information. The weather-related information mayinclude, for example, forecasted weather information and/or real-timeweather conditions. The weather-related information may be provided froma source located remote from a property being monitored by a homeautomation system. In other examples, the weather-related informationmay be provided by sensors or other devices located locally (i.e., inclose proximity) to a property monitored by the home automation system.

The home automation system may be programmed to provide communicationwith a user of the home automation system and/or a resident at theproperty being monitored by the home automation system. Thecommunications may include, for example, current weather conditions,forecasted weather conditions, recommendations concerning proposedactions to account for current or forecasted weather conditions, orupdates concerning automated functions of the home automation system inresponse to the current and/or forecasted weather conditions. Anotheraspect of the present disclosure relates to the automated functions of ahome automation system that may occur in response to receiving currentand/or forecasted weather conditions. A still further aspect of thepresent disclosure relates to automatically adjusting an HVAC system ofa property in response to current and/or forecasted weather conditions.Another aspect of the present disclosure relates to automated openingand/or closing of barriers of a property (e.g., doors and windows of ahome) to optimize heating and/or cooling of the property based oncurrent weather conditions and/or prepare for forecasted weatherconditions. Another aspect of the present disclosure relates tocontrolling or proposing controls for a sprinkler system associated witha property monitored by the home automation system in response tocurrent and/or forecasted weather conditions.

The current and/or forecasted weather information may be provided by athird party weather service such as, for example, Weather.com®. Thethird party weather service may push weather information directly toindividual control panels of a plurality of different home automationsystems. In another example, the weather information from a third partyweather service pushes weather information to a backend server that thenpushes the weather information to individual control panels for aplurality of home automation systems. The backend server may receiveweather information from a third party weather service for a pluralityof different geographic areas, determine which control panels areassociated with each geographic area, and push weather informationrelevant to each geographic area to the relevant control panels (orother designated device for a given home automation system—e.g., aremote handheld device).

Referring to FIG. 1, a block diagram illustrating one embodiment of anenvironment 100 in which the present systems and methods may beimplemented is shown. In some embodiments, the systems and methodsdescribed herein may be performed, at least in part, using a device 105.The device 105 may communicate with a weather database 115 via a network110. Device 105 may operate a weather module 120.

In at least some embodiments, the device 105 may be a control panel of ahome automation system. The home automation system may include or bepart of environment 100. Device 105 may be permanently mounted (e.g., ona wall of a home), or may be carried by a mobile device (e.g., a laptopcomputer, tablet computer, smartphone, or the like).

Weather database 115 may provide weather-related information to weathermodule 120. Weather database 115 may have access to weather-relatedinformation for a plurality of different geographic areas (e.g., regionssuch as cities, counties, or states of the United States). Theweather-related information may include current weather conditions aswell as forecasted weather data. The forecasted weather may include aprobability of certain forecasted weather occurring within a given timeperiod. The weather-related information may be pushed to weather module120. Additionally, or alternatively, the weather module 120 may reachout to (e.g., request) weather database 115 to obtain theweather-related information. The weather-related information availableat weather database 115 may be continuously updated (e.g., every secondor minute), or periodically based on, for example, operation ofweather-related sources such as satellite images, weather stations, andsensors positioned within the geographic area of the home automationsystem.

Weather module 120 may operate to provide a plurality of functionsand/or instructions to conduct functions based at least in part on theweather-related information received from weather database 115. Forexample, weather module 120 may provide a notice to a user of the homeautomation system of forecasted severe weather. The notice to the usermay be in the form of, for example, an audible message delivered througha speaker system of a home being monitored by the home automationsystem, an audible message through a mobile computing device carried bya user, a text message sent to a mobile computing device carried by theuser, a text message displayed on a display screen of one or morecontrol panels of the home automation system, or an email sent to acomputing device available to the user. Another operation possible forweather module 120 includes generating and/or presenting instructions toopen or close one or more barriers associated with the property beingmonitored by the home automation system. The barrier may include, forexample, a garage door, a window, a pool cover, a storm door, or thelike. The instructions may be sent to a user of the home automationsystem and the user may manually open or close the barrier in responseto the instructions. Additionally, or alternatively, the instructionsmay be carried out automatically based on one or more pre-set rules forthe home automation system whereby one or more automated closure devicesoperates to open or close a given barrier or perform other functions ofthe home automation system.

Weather module 120 may operate to control one or more appliances orsystems in response to the weather-related information. For example, theweather-related information may be forecast as a significant drop intemperature for a given period of time. The weather module 120 maycontrol an HVAC system of a property being monitored by the homeautomation system to increase the thermostat setting for the propertyduring the forecasted low temperature period. In another example,weather module 120 may use a combination of controls to optimize energyusage in a home based at least in part on weather-related information.For example, weather module 120 may automatically open or close barriersor provide recommendations to a user to manually open or close barriers.In another example, combination of opening/closing barriers withoperating an HVAC system is possible so that operation of the HVACsystem is minimized while taking advantage of weather conditions to heator cool the interior of the building being monitored by the homeautomation system.

FIG. 2 shows another environment 200 that may include the components ofenvironment 100 described above and may further include a barrier 205and a backend server 210. The barrier 205 may include a barrier sensor225. Device 105-a may include, in addition to weather module 120, adisplay 215 and an alarm 220. Network 110 may provide communicationbetween device 105-a, barrier 205 (or components thereof), backendserver 210 and weather database 115. Network 110 may include local areanetworks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), virtual private networks(VPN), wireless networks (using 802.11, for example), and/or cellularnetworks (using 3G and/or LTE, for example), etc. In some embodiments,network 110 may include the Internet.

Weather module 120 may convey messages to a user in response toweather-related information received from weather database 115. Thenotices generated by weather module 120 may be shown on display 215. Thenotices may be shown as, for example, a text message, a combination offlashing lights, a video, or the like. Display 215 may include, forexample, a touch screen, a digital monitor, a pattern of lights (LEDs)or the like. Display 215, although shown as a component of device 105-a,may be provided as a separate device and/or component of the homeautomation system that is in communication with weather module 120.

Alarm 220 may be used to communicate certain information to a user. Forexample, alarm 220 may generate an audible message such as, for example,“severe dust storm approaching,” “temperatures to drop below −15° F.tonight,” or “time to close front bedroom window.” Alarm 220 may producea siren sound when, for example, a tornado is approaching. Alarm 220,although shown as a component of device 105-a, may be included as aseparate device and/or component of home automation system. Alarm 220may include a plurality of different alarm devices such as, for example,a plurality of speakers. Alarm 220 may be part of, for example, a mobiledevice and/or be configured to communicate with a mobile device carriedby a user.

Barrier sensor 225 may provide real-time status information related tobarrier 205. For example, barrier sensor 225 may communicate a signal toweather module 120 concerning an open state of barrier 205. Weathermodule 120, when determining recommended actions in response toweather-related information received from weather database 115, may beable to identify specific barriers 205 that are recommended for manualor automated opening and/or closing. Barrier sensor 225 may include, forexample, a magnetic switch, an optical sensor, or the like.

Weather information provided by weather database 115 may be routedthrough network 110 to backend server 210. Backend server 210 may thenprovide the weather-related information to weather module 120 vianetwork 110. As mentioned above, the weather-related information fromweather database 115 may be provided directly to weather module 120 fromweather database 115. Further, the weather-related information may bepushed from weather database 115 to backend server 210 and/or weathermodule 120, or the backend server 210 and/or weather module 120 mayreach out to (e.g., request) and retrieve the weather-relatedinformation from weather database 115. Weather database 115 may be partof, for example, a third party weather service and/or weatherinformation-related service such as, for example, Weather.com®.

Backend server 210 may process the weather-related information receivedfrom weather database 115. The processing performed by backend server210 may include, for example, associating weather-related informationbased on geography, and directing the geographic associatedweather-related information with weather modules (e.g., control panelsand/or home automation systems) for that specific geographic area. Thegeographic areas may be divided, for example, by area code, zip code,county, city, state, etc. Backend server 210 may provide other servicesin support of device 105-a and/or weather module 120. For example,backend server 210 may notify emergency personnel in response to, forexample, particular types of alarms generated by alarm 220 and/orcertain current and/or forecasted weather conditions identified from theweather-related information received from weather database 115. Backendserver 210 may provide information storage capability for device 105-aand/or a home automation system. For example, backend server 210 maystore historical information related to the notices, instructions, oractions taken by weather module 120. Alternatively, such historicalinformation may be stored on device 105-a or another component of thehome automation system.

FIG. 3 shows another environment 300 that may include the components ofenvironments 100, 200 described above and may further include anappliance 305 and a weather sensor 310. Appliance 305 includes acontroller 315. Appliance 305 may include, for example, an HVAC system,a fan, a kitchen appliance, or the like. Controller 315 may provide atleast some control and/or operability of appliance 305. Controller 315may operate in response to instructions or signals received from weathermodule 120. Appliance 305 and weather sensor 310 may communicate withdevice 105 and/or weather module 120 via network 110. Additionally,and/or alternatively, appliance 305 and weather sensor 310 maycommunicate with device 105 and/or weather module 120 directly.

Weather sensor 310 may be located at or in close proximity to a propertybeing monitored by a home automation system. For example, weather sensor310 may include a temperature sensor that is exposed on an exterior of ahome where device 105 resides and is being monitored by the homeautomation system. The temperature sensor may provide real-timetemperature readings that are used by weather module 120. Theinformation from weather sensor 310 may be used in addition to or inplace of weather-related information from weather database 115. Forexample, weather database 115 may provide current temperatures for arelatively large geographic area that covers the location where device105 resides. Weather sensor 310 may provide specific temperaturereadings at the location of the home where device 105 resides, and mayprovide a different temperature that is more accurate than thetemperature provided by weather database 115. Environment 300 may beconfigured such that information provided by weather sensor 310 isconsidered more relevant than the weather information provided byweather database 115 if there is conflicting weather data. Weathersensor 310 may provide other weather information such as, for example,wind speed, wind direction, barometric pressure, humidity, UV strength,air particulates, and cloud cover. Weather module 120 may operate atleast in part based on real-time weather conditions provided by weathersensor 310. In at least some examples, weather sensor 310, or dataprovided therefrom, may be used to forecast further weather conditions.Weather module 120 may operate at least in part based on the forecastedweather conditions determined from data provided by weather sensor 310.In at least some examples, weather module 120 helps determine forecastedweather conditions based on the data from weather sensor 310.

FIG. 4 shows another environment 400 that may include the components ofenvironments 100, 200, 300 described above, and may further include aremote device 405. Environment 400 includes device 105 having weathermodule 120, barrier 205-a having barrier sensor 225 and a barrieroperator 410, appliance 305 having a controller 315, and weather sensor310.

Remote device 405 may include, for example, a mobile computing device inpossession of a user (e.g., an owner of a home being monitored by a homeautomation system where device 105 resides). Weather module 120 mayoperate to push notifications to remote device 405. The notificationsmay include, for example, recommendations for opening or closing barrier205-a based on an open state of the barrier 205-a determined frombarrier sensor 225. The notifications may include, for example,information about forecasted severe weather or current severe weatherconditions. The weather conditions, whether current or forecasted, maybe provided by weather sensor 310. Weather sensor 310 may be positionedat or in close proximity to a property being monitored by a homeautomation system where device 105 resides. Weather sensor 310 mayinclude any of the features and/or functionality described above withreference to environment 300.

Remote device 405 may be operated by a user to control, for example,appliance 305 and/or barrier 205-a. In one example, a user operatesremote device 405 to send instructions to operate barrier operator 410to open or close barrier 205-a in response to weather module 120 sendinga notice to remote device 405 that barrier 205-a is in an open state(e.g., via barrier sensor 225) and a certain weather current conditionor forecasted weather condition has met predetermined criteria. Thecriteria may include, for example, a forecasted weather condition of acertain probability, e.g., 70% or 80% chance of the weather occurring.In another example, the criteria is an outside temperature droppingbelow 60° (e.g., indicating a window should be opened) or a temperatureabove 75° (e.g., indicating that a window should be closed). Differenttypes of notices may be generated depending on the probability ofcertain forecasted weather and the timeframe within which the forecastedweather is expected to occur.

In another example, barrier operator 410 may operate automatically inresponse to instructions received from weather module 120. Weathermodule 120 may determine that barrier 205-a should be opened or closedbased at least in part on a current and/or forecasted weather condition.In one example, one of a severe rainstorm, severe windstorm, blizzard,or rapid change in temperature is forecasted with a certain level ofprobability that the weather will actually occur. Weather module 120 maysend instructions to barrier operator 410 to automatically open or closebarrier 205-a within a given period of time when the forecasted weathercondition is expected to occur at the location of the property beingmonitored by the home automation system.

Weather module 120 may provide a notice or recommendation to one or moreusers for opening or closing barrier 205-a or operating appliance 305 ina way that is independent of operations of remote device 405. Asdiscussed above, weather module 120 may, for example, display a message,generate an audible message, generate an alarm, or the like, to one ormore users at the property being monitored by the home automation systemor at another location where the user resides (e.g., at a remote workstation, in a car, etc.).

Weather sensor 310 may be used in combination with or in place of aweather database such as weather database 115 described with referenceto FIGS. 1-3. Weather sensor 310 may provide at least some weatherinformation to a weather database such as weather database 115 thatprovides weather-related information to weather module 120.

FIG. 5 shows another environment 500 that may include the components ofenvironments 100, 200, 300, 400 described above, and may further includean application 505, a display 510, a sensor 515, a user interface 520,and/or an alarm 525. Environment 500 may also include barrier 205 havingbarrier sensor 225, device 105 having a weather module 120, appliance305 having controller 315, backend server 210, and/or a weather database115. Any of the components of environment 500 may be included in any oneof the other environments 100, 200, 300, 400 described herein.

Application 505 may allow a user to control (either directly or viadevice 105) an aspect of the monitored property including security,energy management, locking and unlocking doors, checking the status ofthe door, locating a user or item, controlling lighting, thermostat, orcameras, and receiving notifications regarding a current status oranomaly associated with a home, office, place of business, and the like.In some configurations, application 505 may enable device 105 tointerface with weather module 120, appliance 305, controller 315,barrier sensor 225, backend server 210, and/or weather database 115.Application 505 may provide the display 510 and/or user interface 520 todisplay automation, security, and/or energy management content on device105 and/or, for example, remote device 405 shown in FIG. 4. Thus,application 505, via display 510 and/or user interface 520, may allowusers to control aspects of their home, office, and/or other type ofproperty. Further, application 505 may be installed on device 105,remote device 405 (see FIG. 4), or appliance 305 in order to allow userto interface with a function of one of those devices and/or components.

Display 510 may include, for example, a digital display as part of, forexample, a control panel of environment 500 (e.g., a home automationsystem control panel). Display 510 may be provided via devices such as,for example, a desktop computer or mobile computing device (e.g., remotedevice 405). The user interface 520 may be integrated into display 510.Such a user interface 520 may include a plurality of menus, screens,microphones, speakers, cameras, and other capabilities that permitinteraction between the user and the home automation system or anycomponents of environment 500. Additionally, or alternatively, the userinterface 520 with display 510 may be integrated into device 105, remotedevice 405, appliance 305, or other devices or components of environment500. Display 510 may be used to display notices, recommendations,alarms, or the like, from weather module 120 as a way to communicatewith one or more users of the home automation system.

Sensor 515 may include, for example, a camera sensor, an audio sensor, aforced-entry sensor, a shock sensor, a proximity sensor, a boundarysensor, an appliance sensor, a light fixture sensor, a temperaturesensor, a light beam sensor, a three dimensional (3D) sensor, a motionsensor, a smoke sensor, a glass break sensor, a door sensor, a videosensor, a carbon monoxide sensor, an accelerometer, a global positioningsystem (GPS) sensor, a Wi-Fi positioning sensor, a capacitance sensor, aradio frequency sensor, a near-field sensor, a heartbeat sensor, abreathing sensor, an oxygen sensor, a carbon dioxide sensor, a brainwave sensor, a motion sensor, a voice sensor, a touch sensor, and thelike. The sensor 515 may include at least some of the features andfunctionality of weather sensor 310 described with reference to FIGS. 3and 4. Although sensor 515 is depicted as a separate component fromdevice 105 and other components of environment 500, in some embodiments,sensor 515 may be connected directly to any one of these components.Additionally, or alternatively, sensor 515 may be integrated into a homeappliance such as appliance 305, which may be an appliance positionedinterior to or exterior to a building (e.g., home) being monitored by ahome automation system. Barrier sensor 225 may be one example of sensor515.

Alarm 525 may be one example of alarm 220 of device 105-a shown in FIG.2. Alarm 525 may be associated with any number of devices, systems orthe like associated with a property being monitored by a home automationsystem or a remote device. Alarm 525 may provide communication betweenweather module 120 and one or more users, emergency personnel, or thelike, to convey notices, recommendations, or emergency informationassociated with weather-related information or the effects of currentweather conditions.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a weather module 120-a, which maybe one example of the weather module 120 described above with referenceto FIGS. 1-5. Weather module 120-a may include a weather update module605, a barrier state module 610, a notice module 615, an automationmodule 620, an optimization module 625, and a weather confirmationmodule 630. Other embodiments of weather module 120 may include more orfewer of the modules shown in FIG. 6.

Weather update module 605 may provide communication with one or moresources of weather-related information. Weather update module 605 mayactively reach out to obtain weather-related information from, forexample, a weather sensor (e.g., weather sensor 310) or a weatherdatabase (e.g., weather database 115). Weather update module 605 maystore weather-related information and may tag the weather-relatedinformation as the most current information available until replacedwith updated weather-related information. In at least some examples,weather update module 605 may compare forecasted weather-relatedinformation with the weather that actually occurs, which may influence,for example, how frequently the weather information is updated in thefuture or whether a different source of weather-related informationshould be used. In other examples, weather update module 605 may obtainweather-related information from a plurality of different sources andmay conduct at least some analysis related to, for example, currentconditions and/or determining probabilities of expected weatherconditions.

Barrier state module 610 may obtain information about the open state ofa plurality of barriers (e.g., barrier 205) associated with a propertybeing monitored by a home automation system. Barrier state module 610may maintain open state information about each of the barriers. The openstate information may be used by barrier state module 610 as part ofproviding notifications to users related to which barrier should beopened or closed given current or expected weather conditions, orautomatically opening or closing the barriers based on weather-relatedinformation.

Notice module 615 may operate to generate notices to users in responseto weather-related information. For example, notice module 615 maygenerate alarms, audible commands, text messages, or the like tocommunicate information to a user, wherein the information is determinedat least in part based on weather-related information. For example,notice module 615 may provide a notice to a user to open or close one ormore barriers, adjust a thermostat setting, adjust a sprinkler systemsetting, or the like in response to a weather forecast indicating a highprobability of a certain weather event occurring or an actual currentweather condition. In one example, notice module 615 notifies a user viathe user's handheld mobile device that rain has occurred at the propertybeing monitored by the home automation system and that it is recommendedthat the user turn off the sprinkler system for the property for atleast the next 24 hours. In another example, the weather forecastinformation indicates a 80% chance of significant wind in the coming 24hours, and notice module 615 provides a notice to the user recommendingputting garbage cans in the garage, storing patio furniture, puttingdown an awning, and/or closing all windows for the coming 24 hourperiod. In a still further example, notice module 615 generates a noticeto the user that the HVAC system has been turned off for the past 8hours because the outdoor temperature has been within a predeterminedtemperature range within which the home automation system has beenprogrammed by the user to automatically turn off the HVAC system (e.g.,the range of 60°-75°).

Automation module 620 may operate to provide at least some automatedfunctions in response to the weather-related information received byweather module 120-a. Automation module 620 may provide instructions,signals, or other automated features to conduct, for example, opening orclosing a barrier, generating a notice, turning on or off an applianceor system associated with the building or property being monitored bythe home automation system, turning on or off a sprinkler system,operating a pool cover or heating system for a pool, operating windowblinds, or the like.

Optimization module 625 may provide at least some logic, processing orcontrols associated with optimization of energy usage, water usage,device usage, and the like, in response to the received weather-relatedinformation. For example, optimization module 625 may operate tooptimize energy consumption while maintaining a home interiortemperature within a certain range. Optimization module 625 mayrecommend and/or automatically operate a plurality of barriers dependingon such conditions as current outside temperature, wind speed, winddirection, humidity, and the like, to avoid having to operate an HVACsystem while still maintaining a desired range of interior temperaturefor the home. In another example, optimization module 625 may optimizewater consumption related to watering a yard (e.g., lawn, flower beds,trees, and bushes) based at least in part on, for example, outsidetemperature, precipitation, humidity, wind speed, and overcastconditions. The optimization module 625 may also receive sensorinformation from, for example, a ground moisture sensor in addition tothe weather-related information. Optimization module 625 may thenautomatically operate a sprinkler system or provide recommended usageinformation to a user such that the sprinkler system operates for theleast amount of time and distributes the least amount of water possiblewhile still maintaining proper hydration for the yard.

Weather confirmation module 630 may operate to confirm whetherforecasted weather actually occurs as predicted. Weather confirmationmodule 630 may receive weather-related information from a third party aswell as from locally positioned sensors. The locally positioned sensorsmay provide real-time weather-related information such as, for example,temperature, humidity, precipitation, wind speed, etc. to confirmwhether the forecasted weather condition of certain probability actuallyoccurs. If the forecasted weather condition is not confirmed asoccurring according to the forecast, weather module 120-a may modify itsrecommended actions sent to the user and/or modify the automatedfunctions that occur (e.g., opening or closing doors and/or windows).

FIG. 7 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method 700 forgenerating weather-related notices with a home automation system. Insome configurations, the method 700 may be implemented with the weathermodule 120 described with reference to FIGS. 1-6. In other examples, themethod 700 may be performed generally by device 105 shown in FIGS. 1-5,or even more generally by the environments 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 shownin FIGS. 1-5.

At block 705, method 700 includes receiving weather data about currentweather conditions. Block 710 includes receiving status informationabout at least one barrier of a property monitored by the homeautomation system. At block 715, method 700 includes generating at leastone notice based at least in part on the weather data and statusinformation.

Providing status information about one or more barriers may includeproviding information about an open state of the one or more barriers.The weather information may include a probability of a weather eventoccurring. Generating the at least one notice may occur if theprobability of the weather event exceeds a threshold probability level.At least one notice may include one of a displayed message and anaudible message that the at least one barrier should be opened orclosed. The weather information may include at least one of atemperature, a wind speed, and a chance of precipitation. The method 700may include automatically opening or closing the at least one barrierbased on the weather data. Method 700 may include receiving statusinformation about at least one appliance at a property monitored by thehome automation system, and automatically adjusting operation of the atleast one appliance based on the weather data.

FIG. 8 is a flow diagram showing one example of a method 800 forgenerating weather condition-based notices with a home automationsystem. In some configurations, the method 800 may be implemented withthe weather module 120 described with reference to FIGS. 1-6. In otherexamples, method 800 may be performed generally by device 105 shown inFIGS. 1-5, or even more generally by the environments 100, 200, 300,400, 500 shown in FIGS. 1-5.

At block 805, method 800 includes receiving periodic weather notices.Block 810 includes receiving status information concerning at least onebarrier or at least one appliance at a building. Block 815 of method 800includes generating a notice providing a recommended change of status ofthe at least one barrier or at least one appliance based on the weathernotices.

Method 800 may also include automatically operating the at least onebarrier or the at least one appliance based at least in part on aweather notice. Method 800 may include displaying the notice on acontrol panel of the home automation system. Method 800 may includetransmitting the notice to a remote handheld device. The notice mayinclude at least one of a graphic, a sound, a light indicator, or avibration. The periodic weather notices may be routed through a backendserver to a control panel of the home automation system.

FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating one embodiment of a method 900 forprocessing weather information with a home automation system. In someconfigurations, the method 900 may be implemented with the weathermodule 120 described with reference to FIGS. 1-6. In other examples,method 900 may be performed generally by device 105 shown in FIGS. 1-5,or even more generally by the environments 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 shownin FIGS. 1-5.

At block 905, the method 900 includes receiving weather information at acontrol panel of the home automation system. Block 910 of method 900includes generating recommendations for changing at least one conditionof a property monitored by the home automation system based at least inpart on the weather information and at least one predetermined rule.

The weather information may be received from a backend server of thehome automation system. The at least one condition may be at least oneof an open state of at least one barrier of the property, an operationstate of a sprinkler system of the property, and an operation state ofan HVAC system of the property. The at least one predetermined rule mayinclude one of a threshold temperature and a threshold chance ofprecipitation. Receiving weather information may include receivingweather information from at least one of the remote weather database andat least one local weather sensor. Method 900 may include delivering therecommendations to at least one user of the property.

FIG. 10 depicts a block diagram of a controller 1000 suitable forimplementing the present systems and methods. The controller 1000 may bean example of the device 105 illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4 and/or 5 orthe controller 315 shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and/or 5. In one configuration,controller 1000 includes a bus 1005 which interconnects major subsystemsof controller 1000, such as a central processor 1010, a system memory1015 (typically RAM, but which may also include ROM, flash RAM, or thelike), an input/output controller 1020, an external audio device, suchas a speaker system 1025 via an audio output interface 1030, an externaldevice, such as a display screen 1035 via display adapter 1040, an inputdevice 1045 (e.g., remote control device interfaced with an inputcontroller 1050), multiple USB devices 1065 (interfaced with a USBcontroller 1070), and a storage interface 1080. Also included are atleast one sensor 1055 connected to bus 1005 through a sensor controller1060 and a network interface 1085 (coupled directly to bus 1005).

Bus 1005 allows data communication between central processor 1010 (e.g.,controller 315) and system memory 1015, which may include read-onlymemory (ROM) or flash memory (neither shown), and random access memory(RAM) (not shown), as previously noted. Weather module 120-b, which maybe one example of the weather modules 120 disclosed with reference toFIGS. 1-6 may be stored in system memory 1015. The RAM is generally themain memory into which the operating system and application programs areloaded. The ROM or flash memory can contain, among other code, the BasicInput-Output system (BIOS) which controls basic hardware operation suchas the interaction with peripheral components or devices. Applications(e.g., application 505) resident with controller 1000 are generallystored on and accessed via a non-transitory computer readable medium,such as a hard disk drive (e.g., fixed disk 1075) or other storagemedium. Additionally, applications can be in the form of electronicsignals modulated in accordance with the application and datacommunication technology when accessed via network interface 1085.

Storage interface 1080, as with the other storage interfaces ofcontroller 1000, can connect to a standard computer readable medium forstorage and/or retrieval of information, such as a fixed disk drive1075. Fixed disk drive 1075 may be a part of controller 1000 or may beseparate and accessed through other interface systems. Network interface1085 may provide a direct connection to a remote server via a directnetwork link to the Internet via a POP (point of presence). Networkinterface 1085 may provide such connection using wireless techniques,including digital cellular telephone connection, Cellular Digital PacketData (CDPD) connection, digital satellite data connection, or the like.In some embodiments, one or more sensors (e.g., motion sensor, smokesensor, glass break sensor, door sensor, window sensor, carbon monoxidesensor, and the like) connect to controller 1000 wirelessly via networkinterface 1085.

Many other devices or subsystems (not shown) may be connected in asimilar manner (e.g., entertainment system, computing device, remotecameras, wireless key fob, wall mounted user interface device, cellradio module, battery, alarm siren, door lock, lighting system,thermostat, home appliance monitor, utility equipment monitor, and soon). Conversely, all of the devices shown in FIG. 10 need not be presentto practice the present systems and methods. The devices and subsystemscan be interconnected in different ways from that shown in FIG. 10. Theaspect of some operations of a system such as that shown in FIG. 10 arereadily known in the art and are not discussed in detail in thisapplication. Code to implement the present disclosure can be stored in anon-transitory computer-readable medium such as one or more of systemmemory 1015 or fixed disk 1075. The operating system provided oncontroller 1000 may be iOS®, ANDROID®, MS-dOS®, MS-WINDOWS®, OS/2®,UNIX®, LINUX®, or another known operating system.

Moreover, regarding the signals described herein, those skilled in theart will recognize that a signal can be directly transmitted from afirst block to a second block, or a signal can be modified (e.g.,amplified, attenuated, delayed, latched, buffered, inverted, filtered,or otherwise modified) between the blocks. Although the signals of theabove described embodiment are characterized as transmitted from oneblock to the next, other embodiments of the present systems and methodsmay include modified signals in place of such directly transmittedsignals as long as the informational and/or functional aspect of thesignal is transmitted between blocks. To some extent, a signal input ata second block can be conceptualized as a second signal derived from afirst signal output from a first block due to physical limitations ofthe circuitry involved (e.g., there will inevitably be some attenuationand delay). Therefore, as used herein, a second signal derived from afirst signal includes the first signal or any modifications to the firstsignal, whether due to circuit limitations or due to passage throughother circuit elements which do not change the informational and/orfinal functional aspect of the first signal.

While the foregoing disclosure sets forth various embodiments usingspecific block diagrams, flowcharts, and examples, each block diagramcomponent, flowchart step, operation, and/or component described and/orillustrated herein may be implemented, individually and/or collectively,using a wide range of hardware, software, or firmware (or anycombination thereof) configurations. In addition, any disclosure ofcomponents contained within other components should be consideredexemplary in nature since many other architectures can be implemented toachieve the same functionality.

The process parameters and sequence of steps described and/orillustrated herein are given by way of example only and can be varied asdesired. For example, while the steps illustrated and/or describedherein may be shown or discussed in a particular order, these steps donot necessarily need to be performed in the order illustrated ordiscussed. The various exemplary methods described and/or illustratedherein may also omit one or more of the steps described or illustratedherein or include additional steps in addition to those disclosed.

Furthermore, while various embodiments have been described and/orillustrated herein in the context of fully functional computing systems,one or more of these exemplary embodiments may be distributed as aprogram product in a variety of forms, regardless of the particular typeof computer-readable media used to actually carry out the distribution.The embodiments disclosed herein may also be implemented using softwaremodules that perform certain tasks. These software modules may includescript, batch, or other executable files that may be stored on acomputer-readable storage medium or in a computing system. In someembodiments, these software modules may configure a computing system toperform one or more of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein.

The foregoing description, for purpose of explanation, has beendescribed with reference to specific embodiments. However, theillustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or tolimit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modificationsand variations are possible in view of the above teachings. Theembodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain theprinciples of the present systems and methods and their practicalapplications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to bestutilize the present systems and methods and various embodiments withvarious modifications as may be suited to the particular usecontemplated.

Unless otherwise noted, the terms “a” or “an,” as used in thespecification and claims, are to be construed as meaning “at least oneof.” In addition, for ease of use, the words “including” and “having,”as used in the specification and claims, are interchangeable with andhave the same meaning as the word “comprising.” In addition, the term“based on” as used in the specification and the claims is to beconstrued as meaning “based at least upon.”

What is claimed is:
 1. An apparatus for generating weather relatednotices with a home automation system, the apparatus comprising: aprocessor; a memory in electronic communication with the processor; andinstructions stored in the memory, the instructions being executable bythe processor to: determine a difference between a first set of weatherconditions associated with a home and a second set of weather conditionsassociated with the home; determine a priority for the first set ofconditions or the second set of weather conditions based at least inpart on a source of the first set of weather conditions or a source ofthe second set of weather conditions; determine a state of a boundary ofthe home; actuate an automated device to physically adjust the boundarybased at least in part on the determined set of weather conditions andthe determined state of the boundary; generate a message based at leastin part on the first and the second sets of weather conditions, thedetermined priority, the determined state of the boundary, and theactuating of the automated device; and transmit the generated message toa wireless device of a user.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theinstructions are further executable by the processor to: automaticallyalter a state of at least one other boundary of a plurality ofboundaries of the home based on the determined set of weatherconditions.
 3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the boundary comprisesa garage door, a storm door, or a pool cover.
 4. The apparatus of claim1, wherein the instructions are further executable by the processor to:monitor the first set of weather conditions or the second set of weatherconditions for a duration; and determine a change in the first set ofweather conditions or the second set of weather conditions over theduration, wherein the change in the first set of weather conditions orthe second set of weather conditions satisfies a predetermined weathercondition threshold.
 5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein theinstructions are further executable by the processor to: automaticallyadjust a performance of a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning(HVAC) system of the home based on the determined set of weatherconditions and the determined state of the boundary.
 6. The apparatus ofclaim 5, wherein the automatic adjustment of the HVAC system in based atleast in part on a change in the state of the boundary.
 7. The apparatusof claim 1, wherein the state of the boundary comprises an open state ora closed state.
 8. A computer-program product for generating weathercondition notices with a home automation system, the computer-programproduct comprising a non-transitory computer-readable medium storinginstructions executable by a processor to: determine a differencebetween a first set of weather conditions associated with a home and asecond set of weather conditions associated with the home; determine apriority for the first set of conditions or the second set of weatherconditions based at least in part on a source of the first set ofweather conditions or a source of the second set of weather conditions;determine a state of a boundary of the home based at least in part onthe determined set of weather conditions; actuate an automated device tophysically adjust the boundary based at least in part on the determinedset of weather conditions and the determined state of the boundary;generate a message based on the first and the second sets of weatherconditions, the determined priority, the determined state of theboundary, and the actuating of the automated device; and transmit thegenerated message to a wireless device of a user.
 9. Thecomputer-program product of claim 8, wherein the instructions arefurther executable by the processor to: automatically alter a state ofat least one other boundary of a plurality of boundaries of the homebased on the determined set of weather conditions and the determinedstate of the boundary.
 10. The computer-program product of claim 8,wherein the boundary comprises a garage door, a storm door, or a poolcover.
 11. The computer-program product of claim 8, wherein theinstructions are further executable by the processor to: monitor thefirst set of weather conditions or the second set of weather conditionsfor a predefined period of time; and determine a change in the first setof weather conditions or the second set of weather conditions over thepredefined period of time, wherein the change in the first set ofweather conditions or the second set of weather conditions satisfies apredetermined weather condition threshold.
 12. The computer-programproduct of claim 8, wherein the instructions are further executable bythe processor to: automatically adjust a performance of a heating,ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system of the home based on thedetermined set of weather conditions and the determined state of theboundary.
 13. The computer-program product of claim 12, wherein theautomatic adjustment of the HVAC system in based at least in part on achange in the state of the boundary.
 14. The computer-program product ofclaim 8, wherein the state of the boundary comprises an open state or aclosed state.
 15. A computer-implemented method for processing weatherinformation with a home automation system, comprising: determining adifference between a first set of weather conditions associated with ahome and a second set of weather conditions associated with the home bythe home automation system; determining a priority for the first set ofconditions or the second set of weather conditions based at least inpart on a source of the first set of weather conditions or a source ofthe second set of weather conditions; determining a state of a boundaryof the home by the home automation system based at least in part on thedetermined set of weather conditions; actuating an automated device tophysically adjust the boundary based at least in part on the determinedset of weather conditions and the determined state of the boundary;generating a message based on the first and the second sets of weatherconditions, the determined priority, the determined state of theboundary, and the actuating of the automated device; and transmittingthe generated message to a wireless device of a user.
 16. The method ofclaim 15, further comprising: automatically altering a state of at leastone other boundary of a plurality of boundaries of the home based on thedetermined set of weather conditions and the determined state of theboundary.
 17. The method of claim 15, wherein the state of the boundarycomprises an open state or a closed state.